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CHAPTER SEVENTY
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2024-12-02 18:31:20Related chapters
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SEVENTY-ONE
Thalia's POV Some were fully open, their petals catching the golden morning light, while others were still tightly rolled up waiting for their time. The sight stole my breath.Lilith knelt among the flowers, a watering can in hand as she moved with quiet purpose, her hair catching the sun's rays and glowing like something out of a dream. She hadn't noticed me yet, and for a moment, I didn't want to disturb the scene either, but my gasp slipped out before I could stop it.Lilith froze, her body tensing like a cornered animal, slowly, she turned to look at me, the caution in her eyes softened as recognition dawned, and she smiled."Like what you see?" she teased, her voice light but carrying the warmth of someone who wasn't just upset with me. I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head in disbelief "It's beautiful," I admitted, stepping further inside. Kirill, who stood a few steps behind her, shifted immediately, his body language protective and his piercing gaze locked onto me, though
Last Updated : 2024-12-03The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER ONE
Thalia's POV I stood outside the penthouse door, my keycard trembling between my fingers. There was a gnawing feeling deep inside me, twisting and tightening, it was nauseating which was why I left the charity gala early and I only hope the feeling was good news for Brandon and I My husband, Brandon wasn't feeling well so he couldn't attend the gala with me, an unfamiliar silence enveloped, the minute I entered the house, no hum of activity, no vacuum running, and no dishes clinking. Just absolute silence, I know Brandon is resting but something just felt off. Shaking off the unease I headed toward the kitchen and poured myself a cup of water, it should calm my nerves before I speak to Brandon so we could take a test together. Then I heard it. Muffled voices, a soft moan, sounds I shouldn't be hearing in my home of all places. I slowly ascended the staircase, the silk of my evening gown brushing against my skin. The sounds became clearer with each step. Intimate. Familiar. My
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER TWO
Two days later, I was a sobbing mess, not only did Brandon take sixty percent of my fortune but he has fifty percent of the company shares.Call after call, text after text, headline after headline I couldn't respond to any of them I found a motel outside of town and hid there.My world, my marriage, my family's fortune—it was all gone. I had nothing left, not even my pride. The betrayal stung at me like a decayed wound. The memory of that evening replaying in my head on an endless loop. My phone buzzed on the table, shattering my almost comfortable quiet. I hadn't answered any calls since that day, so I decided to answer this one, enough of sulking around.I reached for my phone but didn't recognize the number I still answered anyway. "It's Thalia speaking" I said, though my voice sounded distant and extremely croaky even to me. "Thalia Asplundh" The voice on the other end was calm, careful, and unsettlingly familiar. I sat up straighter recognizing the voice, and tension rippled
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER THREE
MARRY ME The words echoed in my mind I blinked "Excuse me?" "Marry me," he repeated like this was a perfectly reasonable thing to say "You and I both know how this world works, Thalia. Power is everything. You want your legacy back. I want to secure mine. Together, we can rebuild what was taken from you and strengthen my position"I stared at him He couldn't be serious. "You want me to marry you" I said slowly as if saying it that way would make the absurdity of it clear to him He didn't flinch "That's right" I crossed my arms, my face formed a scowl "You think I'd agree to that?" He tilted his head, that damn smile never leaving his face "Why not? You'll regain control of your family's wealth, I'll have a partner who understands, You've been left with almost nothing, Thalia, half of your company shares are already gone and as much as you hate to admit it, you can't fight this battle alone" I clenched my fists "I can fight just fine without you" "Really?" His voice dropped,
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FOUR
After I left the cemetery, I drove back to the dingy motel I'd been staying at, the sadness of the day clinging to me like a second layer of skin. The unexpected meeting with Brandon and Bella still burned holes in my heart and mind. I needed to check on the company though. I forced myself to head into town the next morning. Walking through the office doors, I was met with a disheartening sight. The once-thriving company now seemed like a shell of its former self. Brandon had already started implementing his changes, marking everywhere with his disgusting self, dismantling everything my family and I had worked for. I felt a bit relieved when my secretary handed me a memo about the new marketing strategy that Alexander Croft had just launched. On a normal day this would be disastrous for my company but what Brandon was going to do would have left me with no choice but to sell my shares, and Croft knew that and stopped it. He was already stepping in where I least expected. Feeling
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FOUR
"Excellent Choice ma'am" the one beside them said then I returned the ring to them with a smile and they picked up the boxes and left the room. Alexander smirked, clearly pleased with my choice too, but before he could respond his eyes landed on my hand the one with a wedding ring still adorning it, the one from my ex-husband.His playful expression faded for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly "Planning on taking that off anytime soon?" Tension coiled inside me as I glanced at the ring on my hand, beautiful memories flooded my mind. Once upon a time, this ring meant everything to me."It's okay if you don't want to take it off, things like this take time" he said his voice soft noticing how I tensed but I knew there was no room for hesitation. With a deep breath, I slid the ring off my fingers trembling slightly, I placed it on the table "There'll be another one to replace it soon" I said softly forcing a small smile. "My hand won't feel naked for long"Hm" He mused, a knock
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIX
"This here is your room Thalia" Alexander said as we walked into a room with a luxurious white canopy bed with emerald green silk sheets, fresh white roses on the nightstands, and more basically everywhere in the room, giving it a— romantic atmosphere. "My room? We have separate rooms?" I ask turning to face him surprised. "Well, I didn't think you were looking forward to sharing a room with me" he replied with a smirk. I groaned, lightly smacking his chest "Get over yourself" I say tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear "I could get over you instead" He said his voice dipped low in a seductive tone that sent shivers down my spine I didn't reply to that, I don’t trust myself to say anything clever, instead, I reached over to the vanity and took a deep breath"Listen I know you want some answers about why I rushed the wedding but..." "Actually No I don't" Alexander interrupted and came to stand behind me, our eyes met in the mirror "It's been a long day Thalia, you need t
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SEVEN
Thalia? What happened?” Alexander said as he entered Edith’s room with a confused expression on his face. Liam and Cassandra came in behind him, she went to get them after I stopped crying. I was sat in the armchair with a tissue box in one hand and the test stick in another, I might have stopped crying but the pounding in my chest remained the same. “Drink some water Thalia” Cassandra said offering me a half-filled glass of water, I took it and gulped it down in one go.“Give us a moment” Alexander said to Liam and Cassandra even though his eyes were still on me before they landed on the stick in my hand “Of course” Liam said taking Cassie’s arm and guiding her to the door they closed it behind them. “Is that?…” Alexander started but I cut him off.“It’s a test, yes and it’s positive” I said the last part slowly meeting his eyes to see his reaction, but his expression remained unreadable no shock, no anger, nothing.“I’m really sorry, I didn’t know” I began to ramble “I didn’t t
Last Updated : 2024-10-29
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The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SEVENTY-ONE
Thalia's POV Some were fully open, their petals catching the golden morning light, while others were still tightly rolled up waiting for their time. The sight stole my breath.Lilith knelt among the flowers, a watering can in hand as she moved with quiet purpose, her hair catching the sun's rays and glowing like something out of a dream. She hadn't noticed me yet, and for a moment, I didn't want to disturb the scene either, but my gasp slipped out before I could stop it.Lilith froze, her body tensing like a cornered animal, slowly, she turned to look at me, the caution in her eyes softened as recognition dawned, and she smiled."Like what you see?" she teased, her voice light but carrying the warmth of someone who wasn't just upset with me. I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head in disbelief "It's beautiful," I admitted, stepping further inside. Kirill, who stood a few steps behind her, shifted immediately, his body language protective and his piercing gaze locked onto me, though
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SEVENTY
Thalia's POV The silence in the room felt thick, pressing on my chest with an overwhelming weight. Lilith's voice cut through the tension, her tone sharper than I'd ever heard it before. "It's fine" she said, her eyes flickering between Tobias and me. "Let them maim each other if that's what they want" Her words carried a bitterness I had never heard, and I flinched inwardly, she turned, her expression unreadable as she crossed the room to Kirill, who was still glowering at Tobias… and me."Let's go for a walk" she said quietly, tugging at his arm. He hesitated for a moment, his gaze lingering on Tobias before he gave in.Together, they moved toward the coat hanger, I watched them put on their jackets, the door creaked open, and their footsteps echoed on the cobblestone path outside, crunching against the stone. Tobias and I sat, rooted in our places, locked in a silent battle of control, his jaw clenched, his eyes burning with something between anger and resolve. I swallowed the l
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE
Thalia's POV After breakfast I was done eating breakfast I found myself wandering toward the living room, the decor had changed a little, with new touches here and there but the main parts still remained.My eyes caught on the familiar photos lined up there, and my feet moved instinctively toward the mantle. I traced the edges of the frame with my fingers as I studied the images. There was one of Lilith, Tobias, and I on the lake, Tobias and I were taking a swim while Lilith stopped and was talking to someone out of the frame, the cool glass oddly soothing. My lips twitched at the faint memory of it. Next to it was a more recent photo. Lilith stood with Kirill, his arm slung over her as they posed in front of wide stone steps irradiated by bright lights— Santorini, I guessed. They looked… happy. Very happy My eyes fell on another frame, this one was all of us, Lilith, Tobias, our parents, and me, posing in the anteroom at the manor.My throat tightened as tears stung my eyes befor
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT
Thalia's POV "You are engaged to the assassin?" My voice rose higher than I intended, unable to contain my shock. Lilith didn't flinch, instead, she interlocked her fingers with Kirill's, a gesture that felt too intimate."Not engaged either," she said softly, her gaze steady on mine.I froze, the weight of her words sinking in, if they weren't dating and they weren't engaged, that left only one possibility. "You married the assassin?!" The words burst out of me, my voice louder now, vibrating with incredulousness. Kirill remained seated at the table, completely unbothered, he leaned back in his chair, his sharp features emitting a mask of disinterest as he folded the newspaper with deliberate precision."Yes, we're married" Lilith said slowly, her tone calm, almost pleading, as if waiting for my reaction was the hardest part of this conversation. Her eyes searched mine, flickering with a nervous sort of anticipation. What did she expect me to say? I was still grappling with the
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN
Thalia's POV "But we're here now" Lilith said, her voice wrapped with warmth, like she was coaxing me into forgiveness.My gaze snapped to her, sharp and unrelenting "You can go back to whatever Tartarus-like hole you came from" I spat, my tone laced with venom. Her smile faltered, the warmth draining from her features, she looked at me with wide, disbelieving eyes, as if she couldn't believe the words I was saying. I couldn't believe them either. Lilith had been my best friend, we were opposites in many ways—her a dreamer, me a realist... but our souls had always tangled, I used to imagine what it would feel like if she ever came back, alive and whole. I would have run to her, embraced her, and never let her go. Yet now, with her standing in front of me, breathing and real, her presence felt suffocating."We're here to stay, Thalia" Tobias said gently "It was wrong of us to leave, and we know that, we're sorry. Incredibly sorry. But we're here now, and we're not going anywhere. Ev
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX
Thalia's POV The first thing I felt was the warmth of sunlight, filtering through the cream-colored curtains, brushing my face, as if to lure me back to reality. The air was heavy with the earthy scent of petrichor, tinged with cinnamon and vanilla.It was so familiar, so achingly familiar, my chest tightened, and my body felt heavy, the remnants of unconsciousness still clinging to me as I sat upright, clutching at the sheets. This place... I knew this place. The jug of water on the bedside table gleamed under the beam of sunlight, condensation trickling down its surface. My throat burned with thirst. I reached for it, my fingers trembling as I poured myself a glass. The water was cool and soothing, but the simple act of drinking it couldn't calm the typhoon brewing inside me.I staggered to the window, its glass slightly fogged, with shaky hands. I wiped at the pane to clear my view. My heart sank as I took in the sight, of the pristine lake surrounded by pines, their leaves still
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE
Alexander's POV The door to the tech lab clicked shut behind me, and the hum of machinery filled the air, my shoulders were taut as I leaned against the nearest wall, dragging a hand through my hair. Outside, Nolan and Liam were in the main space. Liam was flipping through a flyer he'd found on the desk, his lips pursed in thought.Nolan, on the other hand, paced with a phone pressed to his ear, his free hand gesturing sharply as he spoke, the sight of them was oddly grounding; their restlessness mirrored my own.I crossed to the water dispenser, grabbed a cup, and filled it, needing the coolness to steady my nerves, the water slid down my throat, but it did little to soothe the growing unease nagging at me.Liam caught the movement and looked up "So? Is it done?" he asked, setting the flyer down and crossing his arms. I crushed the empty cup in my hand, tossing it in the nearby bin with more force than necessary"Seven days" I said "Maybe nine, that's how long it'll take to decrypt
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR
Alexander's POV The car hummed steadily as it sped through the darkened streets, the glow of the city fading in the distance. It was already nightfall, and the board meeting earlier today had been postponed at my father's insistence—he'd wanted to be present when it took place.Beside me in the backseat, Liam glanced out the window "Where exactly are we headed?" "To the safe house" I replied, my hand resting firmly on the briefcase on my lap. Inside it, the hard drive felt like a ticking bomb."We can't risk decrypting this anywhere near Croft HQ. Not yet. Not until we know exactly what's on it and how dangerous it is" Nolan was driving, his sharp eyes fixed on the road ahead, Liam nodded before returning his gaze to his phone. The safe house was my property, located on the city's outskirts, it was unassuming: an old warehouse on the surface but equipped with top-tier security and everything we'd need for the task. Liam turned to face me, his dark eyes burning with concern."You do
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE
Thalia's POV The car slowed to a stop. The crunch of tires against gravel, the only sound as I peered out the window, my breath caught in my lungs. This wasn't the church Four hours, I had spent nearly four hours driving into oblivion with Andrei, convinced we were headed to the church, only to end up here.I stared at the house, a chill creeping down my spine, it wasn't the eerie quiet of the place or the way the thick trees surrounding it cast gawky shadows over the house.No. It was the familiarity of it. The house sat near a lake, its surface shimmering faintly under the golden light of a lamp outside, the cobblestone path leading up to the house was bordered with moss and wildflowers, creating a somewhat scenic look."This isn't the church" I snapped at him. Andrei parked the car a few feet away from the house and turned off the engine, he didn't look at me as he replied "I know" Before I could question him further, he got out of the car. I hesitated for a moment, then I ope
